In car entertainment

Headrest DVD player in a Toyota Highlander

In-car entertainment (ICE), or in-vehicle infotainment (IVI), is a collection of hardware and software in automobiles that provides audio or video entertainment. In car entertainment originated with car audio systems that consisted of radios and cassette or CD players, and now includes automotive navigation systems, video players, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, Carputers, in-car internet, and WiFi. Once controlled by simple dashboards knobs and dials, ICE systems can include steering wheel audio controls and handsfree voice control.

Safety concerns

Policies regarding in car entertainment systems are less developed than cell phone usage laws regarding similar distractions in cars. In the United States, 10 states, D.C., Guam and the Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from using handheld cell phones while driving. Additionally, 39 states, D.C., Guam and the Virgin Islands ban text messaging for all drivers. However, few states have developed laws to limit the content that drivers can view on in car entertainment systems.[1]

Still, researchers are beginning to analyze the potential impact of distracted drivers on the roads. Charlie Klauer, a researcher at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, says that drivers who look at screens have a much higher risk of crashing. Furthermore, the risk of crashing rises exponentially the longer a driver has taken their eyes off the road.[2]

Automotive companies like Ford and Audi contend that they have tested and revised their latest systems in order to reduce the amount of time that drivers spend looking away from the road.[2]

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to In-car entertainment.
  1. ↑ "Cellphone Laws". GHSA.org.
  2. 1 2 "Distracted". NY Times. 2010-01-07.
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